Many Dubai-bound passengers were left distressed with no immediate alternatives or support
VASCO
The troubles surrounding Air India services continued over the weekend, as several passengers were left stranded at Goa International Airport in Dabolim after the Air India Express flight to Dubai was cancelled at the last minute early Sunday morning.
According to sources, Air India Express flight IX 839, which was scheduled to depart for Dubai at 1:05 am, was initially rescheduled to 2:55 am before being cancelled entirely, leading to widespread frustration among travellers.
Passengers — many of whom had international connections and commitments —expressed anger over the lack of timely communication and support. The last-minute cancellation caused confusion and chaos at the airport terminal.
When contacted, Goa Airport Director George Varghese confirmed the flight cancellation and attributed it to technical issues. “The Goa–Dubai flight was cancelled due to a technical snag. The aircraft, which was to arrive from Dubai and continue on the return leg from Goa, never reached Dabolim. As a result, the outbound flight from Goa to Dubai had to be cancelled,” Varghese said.
He added that the airline has since accommodated around 35 passengers on an alternate Goa–Dubai flight on Sunday and has promised to shift the remaining travellers to Monday’s flight. “Passengers who requested a refund have been issued their refund amount,” Varghese confirmed.
The incident has once again raised questions about the reliability of Air India Express operations, particularly on the busy Gulf routes where timely connectivity is crucial for both business and personal travel.
